After the past period of homeworking and the return to office-based work, many companies will want to mark this as a "new start". Boost morale and business. A new "elan" !
Many will do nice workshops with external facilitators and participation from employees to list the areas of possible improvements and actionplans with due dates and names.
Good Stuff.
Maybe.
Based on my years as manager and now as coach / advisor working with managers, I have learned that the outcome too often is predictable.
What will it look like ?
Workshop outcome : Areas for Improvement
1 - Communication needs to improve, both internally and externally.
Between departments
From Management to rest of organisation
To customers because they "don't understand"
2 - We must make it easier to work together
Information doesn't flow and we waste time because others don't follow our processes
3 - We need training in TimeManagement
We can't get the things done that we are asked to do
Workshop outcome : Actionplans
1 - Improve Communication
Make posters, newsletters to clarify our mission etc. to our employees (mission likely looks like "be the preferred supplier / partner for our customers") Responsible persons : HR and Marketing
Email etiquette : dos and don'ts ... (email for dummies is handy)
Regular updates by management (followed by a drink to get to know each other better)
2 - Publish the processes (department by department)
Re-issue the ISO documentation or make it
Setup workshops to improve ... starting with extensive / expensive "document current situation"
Owner : Operations
3 - Provide Training in TimeManagement : with the following "actionable lessons"
Beginning of the day : make a list of to-dos
Make 1 part of your day : "do not disturb" so you can work on that list (everybody needs to leave alone)
Owner : HR
Looks familiar ?
Why will this not work ?
The topics are not wrong at all.
The problem is that the actions don't take into account that people work & think in different ways.
Can you fix this ?
Absolutely.
Based on years of experience as a manager and now as a coach / advisor, I know it can be done differently. And have more lasting impact.
Interested ?
Easy action : use the contact form and I'll contact you to set up an initial discussion.
Talk to you soon,
Paul